Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 81986 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 410(@200wpm)___ 328(@250wpm)___ 273(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81986 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 410(@200wpm)___ 328(@250wpm)___ 273(@300wpm)
“I guess that is the question then. Not if but when.” I chuckled unsteadily, holding tighter onto Worth’s hand to ground myself. “I thought I loved you way back when I had a kid’s crush and told the whole town I’d marry Worth Stapleton someday.”
“You sure did,” someone behind us yelled. We had the attention of the whole place, but I was beyond caring. Let them watch. This was our moment.
“I love you so much more now. I understand what love truly is, thanks to you. In a way, though, I think I always knew I’d marry you. Like you said, it was only a matter of when.”
“Now?” Worth prodded hopefully, which brought forth peals of laughter and encouragement from the whole pub.
“Say yes!”
“Come on, put the poor dude out of his misery!”
“Do it!”
Giddy laughter bubbled inside me, escaping in little gasps. “Well, not right here in the middle of trivia night.”
“Hey, I’m ordained,” someone else shouted.
“Me too,” Holden offered. “I married some friends a while back.”
“We probably need a license.” Worth licked his lips. “I could compromise on this week or next?”
I grinned at his impatience. “I think that can be arranged. My parents have a pretty backyard, and my dad has done a wedding or three hundred.”
“I love their backyard,” Worth said earnestly.
“So that’s a yes?” Monroe prompted. “Come on, Sam, let Worth stand up.”
“Oops. Yes.” I tugged Worth up to standing. “Yes, of course I’ll marry you.”
The whole place erupted in loud cheers and congratulations. The when and where would take care of themselves. Soon. What truly mattered was the why: we loved each other, and we were going to spend the rest of our lives together as a family, no matter what shape that took.
Chapter Thirty-Six
Sam
“I’m not sure I get why we have to arrive separately,” I complained to Holden from my porch as I struggled to tie the dress shoes I seldom wore. We should have known better than to ask our friends to attend our elopement. Monroe, Knox, Holden, Cal, and my parents in their backyard. A small gathering and a simple ceremony. I didn’t need anything big and fancy, just my dad saying the words, Worth there to say them back, and me trusting the commitment we were making. Forever. I got to spend forever with Worth, and I would have happily married him in swim trunks if it meant ensuring that happily ever after.
But first, Monroe had insisted everyone dress up and had ferreted Worth away to get ready at the B&B because they’d found the perfect suit for Worth. That I couldn’t see yet. Then Holden had shown up in my driveway in his custom sports car, apparently here to inspect my preparations and be my ride to my parents’ house.
“Tradition, Sam.” Wheeling down the porch ramp, Holden motioned for me to get in the car. “I don’t make the rules. I’m just the driver.”
“Okay, okay.” I grabbed Buttercup’s leash and made my way off the porch. “Do I look decent?”
“Yup. You’re presentable,” Cal said as he exited the passenger seat. He gave me the most cursory of glances, instead turning a critical eye on Buttercup. “What’s with the dog?”
“She’s the flower girl. Or ring-dog.” After Monroe had spirited Worth away, I’d fashioned a wreath out of blooms from the backyard, weaving them into her collar. Luckily, the sheltie continued to be the most chill dog on the planet and had left the flowers alone. “Surprise for Worth.”
“They gonna let her in…” Cal trailed off as Holden gave him an unusually harsh look.
“My mom’s met Buttercup. She liked her.” I’d meant to call my parents, but fiddling with my tie had taken longer than I’d hoped. I’d ended up wearing the gray suit I’d used for countless friend weddings, trying not to giggle giddily as I’d dressed. Finally, my turn. “The dog should be good for the quick ceremony.”
“Sure.” Brightening, Cal scrambled into the small backseat. “Bring her along. Toss her in back with me.”
“Why are you making your boyfriend squish into the back?” I asked Holden as he neatly stowed his wheelchair.
“You’re the groom.” He gave an affable shrug. “Like I said, I don’t make the rules.”
“Nor apparently do I,” Cal grumbled good-naturedly from the back as I climbed in.
Set, we made our way downtown, past the coffee house where hopefully George and Marta and the others were holding down the fort, letting Worth and me have the rare Friday afternoon off. But instead of turning left at Main, Holden took a decisive right.
“Wait.” I protested, but Holden kept right on going. “You missed the turn for my folks.”
“So I did.” He didn’t sound concerned about the mistake, continuing along until he turned into our church. Which had an unusual number of cars for a sleepy Friday. In fact, the parking lot was approaching Easter-level full.